Which place is cheaper, Pucon or San Ignacio?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Ignacio or Pucon?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Ignacio or Pucon, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: San Ignacio or Pucon?
San Ignacio
So you want a tropical getaway, but also don't want to lay around with nothing to do. You want an adventure! You want relaxation and exploration.
You want to visit the small town of San Ignacio, Belize.
This section of the Cayo region is really more of a jungle than a typical Belize beach getaway. Located close the ancient Mayan ruins on the western and inland side of Belize, this town is most popular for its many outdoor adventures including hiking, climbing, and caving!
Pucon
A popular hub for adventure tourism, Pucon is a town in the Lake District of the South American nation of Chile. Located on Lake Villarirca with the snowcapped Villarrica volcano looming above and plenty of forested valleys below, the town has become a home base year-round for a full range of outdoor activities.
Check out our ultimate guide to Traveling in Patagonia.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Belize, The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Ignacio $72Pucon $100
The average daily cost (per person) in San Ignacio is $72, while the average daily cost in Pucon is $100. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for San Ignacio and Pucon in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Ignacio $19Pucon $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Ignacio $38Pucon $86
Compare Hotels in San Ignacio and Pucon
Looking for a hotel in San Ignacio or Pucon? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: San Ignacio Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Ignacio $3.11Pucon $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Ignacio
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Ignacio:
- From Van Transfer To Flores Peten in Guatemala: $20
- San Ignacio Hotel to Belize City Transfer: $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pucon
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pucon:
- Private Transfer Pucon Thermal Resorts to Temuco Airport: $49
- Pucon Temuco Airport Private Transfer: $130
- Pucon to Puerto Montt El Tepual Airport (PMC) -Departure Transfer: $114
Is it cheaper to fly into San Ignacio or Pucon?
Prices for flights to both Pucon and San Ignacio change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one daySan Ignacio $21Pucon $38
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Ignacio
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Ignacio.
- Xunantunich & Food Tour with local chocolate experience: $150
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Ignacio $100Pucon $37
Tours and Activities in San Ignacio
Here are a few actual costs in San Ignacio for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Xunantunich Maya Site with Local Tour guide: $65
- Xunantunich & Adventure Horse Ride: $75
- Xunantunich Mayan Ruins Tour from San Ignacio: $75
- Half-Day Cave Canoeing Adventure: $75
- From Xunantunich Mayan Tour & Optional Combos: $75
- Cave Canoeing with Local Tour Guide: $80
- Cave Tubing with local tour Guide and Belizean Lunch: $90
- Farm Ride plus Xunantunich tour: $90
- Belize Cave Tubing Adventure from San Ignacio: $90
- Xunantunich horseback riding tour: $100
- Full-Day Mountain Pine Ridge Tour from San Ignacio with Lunch: $100
- Private Tour:Xunantunich Mayan Ruin from San Ignacio: $103
Tours and Activities in Pucon
Here are a few actual costs in Pucon for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 3-Hour Rafting Experience in Pucon: $60
- Private 3-Hour Canyoning Experience on the Correntoso River: $68
- Sightseeing Tour in Pucon and Villarica: $93
- Half Day Tour to The Eyes Of Caburgua from Pucon: $93
- Private Half Day Andean Lakes Experience with pickup: $110
- Full Day Private Tour Ascending Sollipulli Volcano: $140
- Local Chile-Bavarian Culinary Pretzel Baking Experience n Sausage: $149
- Full Day Excursion Tour to Quetrupillán Volcano: $177
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Ignacio $17Pucon $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Ignacio and Pucon, we can see that Pucon is more expensive. And not only is San Ignacio much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Ignacio is in Central America and Pucon is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to San Ignacio would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Ignacio and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Pucon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pucon than you might in San Ignacio.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Ignacio Expensive? and Is Pucon Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Ignacio or Pucon?
Pucon has a larger population, and is about 60% larger than the population of San Ignacio. When comparing the sizes of San Ignacio and Pucon, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit San Ignacio or Pucon?
Pucon has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Ignacio experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit San Ignacio or Pucon in the Summer?
Both Pucon and San Ignacio are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Ignacio throughout the year.
In July, San Ignacio is generally much warmer than Puconin January. Daily temperatures in San Ignacio average around 28°C (82°F), and Pucon fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
It's quite sunny in Pucon. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Ignacio. San Ignacio usually receives less sunshine than Pucon during summer. San Ignacio gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Pucon receives 296 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in San Ignacio. In July, San Ignacio usually receives more rain than Puconin January. San Ignacio gets 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuarySan Ignacio 28°C (82°F)Pucon 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit San Ignacio or Pucon in the Autumn?
Both Pucon and San Ignacio during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Ignacio because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
San Ignacio is much warmer than Pucon in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Ignacio averages around 26°C (80°F) in October, and Pucon fluctuates around 11°C (52°F)in April.
In the autumn, San Ignacio often gets more sunshine than Puconin April. San Ignacio gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pucon receives 132 hours of full sun.
Pucon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in San Ignacio. San Ignacio usually gets more rain in October than Puconin April. San Ignacio gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilSan Ignacio 26°C (80°F)Pucon 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit San Ignacio or Pucon in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both San Ignacio and Pucon. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Ignacio year-round.
In the winter, San Ignacio is much warmer than Pucon. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Ignacio in January average around 24°C (74°F), and Pucon averages at about 7°C (45°F)in July.
San Ignacio usually receives more sunshine than Pucon during winter. San Ignacio gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Pucon receives 66 hours of full sun in the winter.
Pucon receives a lot of rain in the winter. San Ignacio gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, San Ignacio usually receives less rain than Puconin July. San Ignacio gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 312 mm (12.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulySan Ignacio 24°C (74°F)Pucon 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit San Ignacio or Pucon in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to San Ignacio as well as Pucon. San Ignacio attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, San Ignacio is generally much warmer than Puconin October. Daily temperatures in San Ignacio average around 27°C (80°F), and Pucon fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Ignacio this time of the year. In the spring, San Ignacio often gets more sunshine than Puconin October. San Ignacio gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pucon receives 198 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Pucon. San Ignacio usually gets less rain in April than Puconin October. San Ignacio gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberSan Ignacio 27°C (80°F)Pucon 11°C (52°F)
Typical Weather for Pucon and San Ignacio
| San Ignacio | Pucon | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 297 mm (11.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 243 mm (9.6 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 247 mm (9.7 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (80°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (76°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.